PraxisUnico (the UK’s leading research commercialisation organisation) has joined forces with other international technology transfer organisations to form The Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP). ATTP’s objective is to lead the development of the technology transfer profession and its practitioners by promoting, through accreditation, recognition, progress and knowledge sharing among the global technology transfer community.
“We are committed to supporting the profession and achieving professional recognition for its practitioners. The creation of ATTP represents the next step towards this goal”, said PraxisUnico Chairman, Professor David Secher.
“Research commercialisation is now recognised around the world as a vitally important profession that transfers innovations resulting from public sector research for social and economic benefit, and ATTP is the international professional body set up to lead the development of that profession and its practitioners,” said Dr Kevin Cullen, Director of Research & Enterprise, University of Glasgow who has been instrumental in the development of ATTP. He added, “ATTP was created by the leading international, practitioner-led associations to establish professional recognition processes, standards and mechanisms. We look forward to other, like-minded associations joining the Alliance to advance technology transfer globally.”
Dr Alison Campbell, who represented PraxisUnico in the international discussions said, “This is a huge step towards international recognition for research commercialisation professionals.” Dr Jeff Skinner, who also represented PraxisUnico added, “This structured approach to professional development will help to enhance career paths and ensure that the profession retains experienced and well-trained individuals.”
A working group is now focusing on developing the registration process for ATTP, with plans for the launch at the Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals (ASTP) 10th annual conference in Paris, 27 and 28 May 2010.
ATTP was formally established at the Annual Meeting of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), New Orleans, USA, 17 March 2010.
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For further information:
PraxisUnico
Lee Willmott
Communications Officer
PraxisUnico
Tel: +44 (0)1223 422085
lee.willmott@praxisunico.org.uk
Additional information
1. ATTP participating organisations include the Association of European Science and Technology Transfer Professionals (ASTP), the Association of Technology Managers in Taiwan (ATMT), AUTM, Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia (KCA), and PraxisUnico.
2. Dr Kevin Cullen is a PraxisUnico committee member, a Board member of ASTP and a past Board member of AUTM.
3. Dr Alison Campbell is Managing Director of Kings College Business and a PraxisUnico Board member.
4. Dr Jeff Skinner is Executive Director of the Foundation for Entrepreneurial Management at the London Business School and is a PraxisUnico Committee member and an ASTP Committee member.
5. ATTP is a not-for-profit company registered in the UK.
About PraxisUnico
PraxisUnico is a not-for-profit educational organisation set up to support innovation and commercialisation of public sector and charity research for social and economic impact. PraxisUnico encourages innovation and acts as a voice for the research commercialisation profession, facilitating the interaction between the public sector research base, business and government. PraxisUnico provides a forum for best practice exchange, underpinned by first-class training and development programmes.